LA Times op-ed: If Trump wins, coup may be necessary
James Kerchick in the Los Angeles Times:
…the prospect of…instability would not be unfathomable in this country if Donald Trump were to win the presidency.
Trump is the most brazenly authoritarian figure to secure the nomination of a major American political party. He expresses his support for all manner of strongmen, and his campaign manager, Paul Manafort, has actually worked for one: former Ukrainian president and Vladimir Putin ally Viktor Yanukovich. At the Republican National Convention here Monday, Manafort put some of the tricks he learned overseas as a dictator whisperer to good use, employing underhanded tactics to avoid a roll call vote on the convention’s rules package and quietly removing language from the party platform expressing support for Ukraine’s democratic aspirations.
Throughout the campaign, Trump has repeatedly bragged about ordering soldiers to commit war crimes, and has dismissed the possibility that he would face any resistance. “They won’t refuse,” he told Fox News’ Bret Bair earlier this year. “They’re not gonna refuse me. Believe me.” When Baier insisted that such orders are “illegal,” Trump replied, “I’m a leader. I’ve always been a leader. I’ve never had any problem leading people. If I say do it, they’re going to do it.”
Try to imagine, then, a situation in which Trump commanded our military to do something stupid, illegal or irrational. Something so dangerous that it put the lives of Americans and the security of the country at stake. (Trump’s former rival for the Republican presidential nomination, Marco Rubio, said the United States could not trust “the nuclear codes” to an “erratic individual.”) Faced with opposition from his military brass, Trump would perhaps reconsider and back down. But what if he didn’t?
In that case, our military men and women, who swear to uphold the Constitution and a civilian chain of command, would be forced to choose between obeying the law and serving the wishes of someone who has explicitly expressed his utter lack of respect for it.
They might well choose the former.
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31 responses to LA Times op-ed: If Trump wins, coup may be necessary
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Obewon July 20th, 2016 at 10:38
Trump fuels hate via SPLC> A violent confrontation in Sacramento, Ca., on Sunday between members of the white nationalist Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP), members of the Golden State Skins (GSS), and antifascist counter-protesters left a number of people hospitalized. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/06/28/trump-sacramento-and-future-white-nationalism-interview-matthew-heimbach
Gea July 20th, 2016 at 15:05
You are a victim of propaganda that had been fueled by Obama and Hilary and their Muslim brotherhood supporters. THEY are the one who are organizing violent protests…
mea_mark July 20th, 2016 at 10:39
If tRump wins the election, I kinda doubt that he lives to the inauguration. There are just too many people out there that I think would be willing to take him out.
Snick1946 July 20th, 2016 at 11:18
Look for riots to begin election night. Imagine what will happen in places like LA if he actually starts deportations.
west coast raffy July 20th, 2016 at 21:52
I love a bunch of cowards hoping _someone else_ will do something.
fedupmd July 20th, 2016 at 12:55
Same goes for Clinton.
Budda July 20th, 2016 at 14:32
Don’t think so. Maybe some Dtrump supporters will have to use the fainting couch or shreak out the horror of their wasted efforts but that would be about it. Oh, except for the joyous revely in the streets.
mea_mark July 20th, 2016 at 14:50
They’re not that terrified of Clinton.
Gea July 20th, 2016 at 15:08
that is your wishful thinking, just as wishful thinking of all Communists, Fascists and Islamists in USA who are hiding the ugly truth about Obama, Clinton and john Kerry, all traitors of USA. B. Hussein Obama had decimated US military and US military and police are sick and tired of him and the racist, antisemitic BLM, which is also sponsoring terrorists.
baddog July 20th, 2016 at 10:43
Look at the comments on the LA Times where this article appears. These Trump supporters are convinced Obama and Clinton are the more unstable bunch. It’s like these morons never studied a minute of history.
Scopedog July 20th, 2016 at 11:12
These Trump supporters are convinced Obama and Clinton are the more unstable bunch.
Sadly, there are those on the Left who think the same thing:
http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2016/07/the-disappointed-sanders-supporter-self-parody-show
Like you also said–it really is like these morons never studied a minute of history.
Budda July 20th, 2016 at 14:34
Sanders=Cheney? Don’t think so.
Scopedog July 20th, 2016 at 16:32
Exactly. I mean….one would have to be a bit messed up in the head to say something like that.
Gea July 20th, 2016 at 15:09
That is the TRUTH and there is sufficient evidence to convict B. Hussein Obama, Hilary Clinton and John Kerry for treason. They never belonged to power in USA as they are sold both to jihadis and to mega-corporations which they cover up with their sugary speeches that mean NOTHING when spoken by them.
Suzanne McFly July 20th, 2016 at 11:49
Our military is a lot smarter than trump and will not follow his orders if they compromise the lives of civilian Americans.
Red Mann July 20th, 2016 at 19:47
Flynn and Boykin would without hesitation, how many other military leaders are like them?
Suzanne McFly July 20th, 2016 at 21:03
I don’t know how many soldiers/sailors will listen to a Commander who has gone bat$hit crazy.
Red Mann July 20th, 2016 at 21:15
The military is a highly authoritative environment and many echo a lot of Trump’s sentiments. It would depend on the character of the high level officers and enlisted. If they are like Flynn or Bokins, who knows.
It was a long time ago, but I don’t think things have changed that much, but the morning after Kent State, I walked into the First Class mess on board my ship and one old fool said “They should have killed more of them f*cking hippies”.
Suzanne McFly July 20th, 2016 at 21:53
I also served and I never would attack American civilians, I would take a dishonorable first.
whatthe46 July 20th, 2016 at 22:12
my son will be swearing in very soon, he’s in. AIR FORCE! now it just got real for me, i’ve got the sads.
Suzanne McFly July 21st, 2016 at 00:01
Don’t be sad, if my siblings wanted to join I would of told them Air Force. He will learn a lot and you will be amazed what Boot Camp will do for your son. What will his job be? I am always here if you need an ear, this shows you did your job as a Mom correctly :)
whatthe46 July 21st, 2016 at 00:13
he won’t know about the jobs he gets to choose from until next week. he gets to pick 5 from a list of 12. thanks for the compliment Suzanne.
Suzanne McFly July 21st, 2016 at 13:16
Your welcome, let me know what he decides. I am excited for both of you.
whatthe46 July 21st, 2016 at 13:28
Thanks!!!!
whatthe46 July 20th, 2016 at 22:11
that last line makes that pos an ass!
William July 20th, 2016 at 12:23
Trying desperately to convert the USA into a banana republic.
whatthe46 July 20th, 2016 at 22:16
Justy is going to be swearing in soon! yea!
eyelashviper July 20th, 2016 at 13:14
Good article, thanks for posting it..
robert July 20th, 2016 at 15:15
why not save some money by taking the trumpster on a military war ship ride on a stormy night
amersham1046 July 20th, 2016 at 19:32
America, slipping into the realm of third world tin pot dictators
Darksnark July 21st, 2016 at 06:04
Just so everybody knows:
James Kirchick, the author of the editorial that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, works for an outfit called the Foreign Policy Initiative: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Kirchick
The Foreign Policy Initiative is a right-wing NeoCon think tank founded by Conservative political analyst Bill Kristol in 2009: http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/foreign_policy_initiative/